Banquet on the Tongariro.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4669, 21 December 1883, Page 2

Banquet on the Tongariro.

[Peb Pbess Association.] Dunedinj This.day., - ; The directors of the New Zealand Ship*' ping Co. entertain' d a number of leading citizens at-a dinner on board the Tongarfro \ last night, the Deputy-Chairman (M^r i? Aynsley) being in the Chair. Mr Richar&v! son proposed " The Assembly/ which was"" responded to by Messrs Reynolds and Driver. " The Commercial interests of Otago " was proposed by Mr Ales. .o.'Wilson, who showed that the trf.de of Dunedin immensely excr ">ded that of any other port, in New Zealand. Mr George, Bell, Presi- *: dent of the Chamber of Commerce, re*., plied. Capt. Hallet' proposed " The Otago Harbor Board." Alluding to the esso with which the Tongarirojsad crossed the bar. " The N.Z. Shipping Co." wps respond.! to by Mr MurrayAynsley. who pointed out that the Coy. relied on the.co-operalion of Oiago to make the direst service «a success, and - referred to the fact that such a service had b"an originated and kept steadilj in view by Mr Macandrew, whom he termed " the father of dirrcfc steam." The ' " Health of Capt. Hallett" wss proposal by Mr James Mills, who alluded to tho ; difficulties attendant upon a first voyage ;„ in a new ship, end expressed his opinion that Capt. HalletL had act^d with fairness and judgment under very trying ■ cir*' -■ cumstances. Captain Hallett, in reply, stated he had simply to do his .duty, and ; - had-not'a single complaint made to, him '• unattended to. There was a scene at the close between Messrs Eracken and Hallett. The "latter in his speech said the articles in the Herald, reflecting upon his „ management of the ship, had been written by a man of apolitical turn of mind, and Mr Bracken, in responding for the Press, regretted that Capfc. Hal'elt's feelings were wounded by the article, but disclaimed all connection with it. Capt. Hallett thereupon denied that he associated Mr Bracken with the authorship, but the, latter by implication said he had been, and he then" retired abruptly from the' room. With the exception of this inoi« - dent, the proceedings were highly success* . ful. ■'."■.'